PAYNESVILLE — Following a third straight appearance in a section final, the Paynesville Bulldogs football team finds itself in rebuilding mode.

The Bulldogs graduated six starters on defense and eight starters on offense, including quarterback/leading rusher Grant Thompson. Thompson threw for 1,055 yards last fall with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. He ran for 1,912 yards and 24 touchdowns as well.

"Those are big shoes to fill," said Paynesville head coach Max Meagher, who has a 40-28 record in seven seasons as head coach.

With eight new starting spots on offense, and with Meagher still seeing how his players are adjusting to various positions, you could call it a golden opportunity for some of the underclassmen.

Meagher isn't going to rush anything, however.

"There's competition for a lot of spots," Meagher said. "We gotta scrimmage again this year; we got a little bit of time to figure it out."

The starting quarterback for the season will either be Dustin Hieserich or Max Weidner, Meagher said.

The top offensive weapon returning for the Bulldogs is Gavin Stanger, who rotated at running back and tight end a year ago and put up a total of 542 yards offensively with eight touchdowns. According to Meagher, Stanger is drawing Division II interest and he figures to be a crucial part of the offense again this fall.

Stanger will also play linebacker on defense and the other returning offensive starter is guard Austin Imholte.

Garrett Leusink, another returning starter, will be at defensive end and tackle for Paynesville and he is also drawing Division II interest. Leusink will also play at offensive tackle.

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Paynesville head coach Max Meagher, left, squirts water into lineman Jack Peopping's mouth during practice Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Paynesville High School. He often makes rounds in the huddle, hydrating players in between reps.
Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com

Coach Max Meagher talks to players on the sidelines while the corn planted adjacent to the field looms behind them during practice Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Paynesville High School.
Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com

Other defensive starters returning are Larry Carlson, Grant Ludwig and Carter Carlson, but that still leaves holes on the defense.

"We gotta restock, or reload, or something," Meagher said. "We lost a lot to graduation two consecutive years now."

Meagher knows this will be a tough season for his young team. For the second straight year, the Bulldogs face BOLD to open. Class 3-A champion Pierz, which won at Paynesville 41-22 last fall, is also on their schedule.

"We're sitting there with a loaded district. Pierz graduated a bunch from their state championship team and they're still probably the favorite to win the whole thing. They're that good," Meagher said.

Needless to say, Stanger is excited for the season.

"I like the challenge. I think it helps prepare for playoffs better; gives us a good look at what the better teams in state are gonna be," Stanger said.

Meagher looks forward to the challenge as well, and he's looking to get production from everyone.

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Paynesville head coach Max Meagher, left, squirts water into lineman Jack Peopping's mouth during practice Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Paynesville High School. He often makes rounds in the huddle, hydrating players in between reps.(Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com)

"We gotta find a way to get better at every facet of our program," he said. "Every area needs to be improved upon if we want to grow a necessary amount.

"We need a lot of new faces to step up, and as long as the kids show up every day and work hard, that's all we can ask (for)."

Follow Sean Davich on Twitter @SeanDavich and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SeanDavichSCTimes.You can contact him at sdavich@stcloudtimes.com or 320-259-3684.